TRAVEL INFORMATION

How to get there

Air
The nearest airport is Bagdogara (New Jalpaiguri), West Bengal, India. The airlines currently flying into and out of Bagdogara include Deccan, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines & SpiceJet. Check individual airline websites for up-to-date flight schedules. From Bagdogara it takes about 6 hrs travel through winding roads on the ghat sections of the West Sikkim along the river Rangit - the breathtaking views compensate the travel fatigue.

Train
The nearest railhead is at New Jalpaiguri, approximately 147 Km from Pelling. New Jalpaiguri is connected by Indian Railways to various major cities of India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta and Chennai.

Visas and special permits

All foreign nationals, including children, require a valid passport and visa to enter India. Please contact your Indian local Embassy/Consulate (details can be found here) for information on visa requirements and the visa application process. Please allow sufficient time to obtain your visa (and permit - see below).

Pelling is within the designated restricted area of India and hence a special permit is also required by all non-Indian participants. Indian Embassies abroad, Representatives of Government of Sikkim at Delhi, Calcutta and Siliguri and some other offices have been authorized to issue restricted area permits to foreigners. This special permit can be obtained from your local Embassy together with your visa.

The conference organisers will supply any supporting documentation (such as letters of invitation) for your visa and permit applications. Please contact us at this address to obtain any documents. Where your local Embassy requests the name of referees in India for your visa application, please use these details: